PLWP provided me the opportunity to reinvigorate my love of writing. As teachers we often get swept away by paperwork, deadlines, professional development, and God knows what else. PLWP reminded me why I love to write and provided me with a network of other passionate teachers and writers with which to develop my work both professionally and personally. My students will be better writers and better people thanks to the development of my writing, the relationships I've developed with other teachers, and the time spent at the institute talking about being a better teacher.
Every National Writing Project site—including Prairie Lands Writing Project— offers experienced teachers the opportunity to apply and participate in an annual summer Invitational Institute. During the summer, these Teacher Scholars prepare for leadership roles by demonstrating their most effective practices, studying research, and improving their knowledge of writing by writing themselves. Upon succesful completion of the Invitational Institute, they receive NWP Teacher Consultant certification and join our TC cadre, putting their knowledge and leadership to work to improve student achievement.
The Invitational Institute is the cornerstone of the National Writing Project's teachers-teaching-teachers professional development model. It brings teachers from across grade levels and content areas together to study writing strategies and techniques to teach writing effectively.
Participants receive books, supplies, and six Missouri Western State University graduate credits which count toward PLWP's Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing, toward the MAS in Assessment: Writing Option, and toward the MAA in Written Communication: Writing Option ($2000 value). They also become NWP Teacher Consultants, joining a professional network and forming lifelong professional friendships (priceless).
View the 2013 Summer Institute flyer!
View and print the 2013 Summer Institute application.
2011 Invitational Institute
Past Invitational Institutes
Participant Quotes
e-Anthologies
Institute Dates
Wednesday, January 16
Application submission deadline
Monday, February 4; Wednesday, February 6; and Monday February 11
Focus Group Interviews
Wednesday, February 20
Acceptance Letters Mailed
Saturday, April 13
Orientation Day: 9AM - 1PM
Saturday, May 11
Inquiry Day: 9AM - 1PM
Saturday, June 1
Research Day: 9AM - 1PM
Summer Session:
8:30AM - 3:30PM
Monday-Thursday, June 24-27
Monday-Wednesday, July 1-3
Monday-Thursday, July 8-11
Monday-Friday, July 15-19
Saturday, September 14
Fall Finish & NWP Certification Session: 9AM-1PM
View the 2013 Summer Institute Flyer or download the application.